Sexual and Reproductive Health 

Sexual and Reproductive Health 

Author: Helena Litorp

What does sexual and reproductive health mean? 

Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is defined as a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality and reproduction, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It includes the right to make decisions about one's own body, sexuality, and reproduction, as well as access to information, contraception, maternal healthcare, safe abortions, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Good sexual and reproductive health also means being able to have enjoyable and safe sexual relationships, free from violence, coercion, and discrimination. SRH is a lifelong aspect of health that affects self-esteem, relationships, and quality of life. 

Why is sexual and reproductive health important? 

Sexual and reproductive health is crucial for an individual's overall health and well-being. Ultimately, it also affects the ability to live an independent life, plan one's family, and avoid unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Lacking SRH can lead to serious consequences, such as maternal mortality, mental health issues, intimate partner violence, and social vulnerability. From a public health perspective, SRH is also important for promoting equality, gender equity, and children's right to a safe upbringing. A society that invests in SRH strengthens both individual rights and overall public health. 

What knowledge gaps and needs exist in research for improved sexual and reproductive health? 

Many women and girls, especially in low-income countries and conflict zones, currently lack access to basic care to meet their sexual and reproductive health needs, such as maternal healthcare, contraception, and safe abortions. However, even in Sweden, there is room for improvement. For example, many marginalized groups in society, such as people with disabilities, migrants, and LGBTQI+ individuals, experience poorer access to SRH, and stigma still exists around areas like sexual dysfunction and infertility. 

In pharmaceutical research for sexual and reproductive health, there are many important areas where more treatment options could help women with conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, menopausal symptoms, or genital pain. Sexual function – in both women and men – is an area that has long been underprioritized in pharmaceutical research. For example, evidence-based treatments for low sexual desire and orgasm disorders are lacking. Erectile dysfunction (impotence) is currently treated primarily with drugs like sildenafil, but these do not work for everyone and can cause side effects such as headache, dizziness, and palpitations. There is a need for new medicines with different mechanisms of action, better tolerability, and efficacy, even in more severe cases. Furthermore, fertility treatments are often invasive, costly, and psychologically demanding, which makes it important to develop new, less invasive alternatives for women and their partners. 

To improve sexual and reproductive health, more inclusive research and new medicines with better tolerability and efficacy are needed, so that everyone can find a treatment that works for them – regardless of gender identity, background, co-existing conditions, or life situation. 

CTC's experience with studies in sexual and reproductive health 

At its clinics in Uppsala, Stockholm, Linköping, Gothenburg, and the Netherlands, CTC has conducted several studies in recent years that could eventually lead to improved sexual and reproductive health for both men and women. For example, CTC has carried out several studies with a sponsor developing a medicine for men with erectile dysfunction. These studies have included both healthy volunteers and men suffering from erectile dysfunction, enabling the sponsor's continued development of their medicine, read more here.

For women, CTC has conducted studies in both premenstrual migraine and menopausal symptoms, for example, with a new hormone-free substance for hot flashes and sweating associated with menopause, which is now approved and registered for treatment in Sweden. CTC has also, together with the sponsor Gedea, carried out several studies with an antibiotic-free product for vaginal yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis, which formed the basis for the product's market approval, read more here. 

Do you want to participate in studies at CTC?

When you register with our database, you will receive information about upcoming or ongoing studies that match your profile. Once you have expressed your interest in participating, our staff will contact you. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.